Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Gift Giving Inspiration & WIW Mash Up


Hello! Did you know that August is my birthday month? Oh how I love to celebrate with shopping, girl time and good eats. Though the official day already passed, the adventures need not end! For me these adventures lie within the gifts I received. Yes, one of my love languages is "gifts", but I struggle to give them well! For this reason, I want to share a few gifts in hopes that it will inspire others like me with fresh ideas for gift giving merriment!
Adventure In a Gift Card
This gift is a great idea for someone who is all about local shopping and adventures.

One friend arranged to have a gift card shipped to me from a local boutique. The adventure began when I opened the envelope and found a red box wrapped in tissue paper covered in the words "Molly & Zoey".

I opened the red box and discovered a gift card to, you guessed it - Molly & Zoey.

Who is Molly & Zoey?

I closed the box, turned the box upside down, and flipped the card over. A NJ address was all I was going to get....I google "Molly & Zoey" and the store in NJ comes up. I conclude that there must be an online store I can shop from. Then I remember seeing a return address on the envelope.

I grab the envelope and find a Sarasota address. Now we're talking. I enter the address in my phone and I'm directed to a destination at St. Armands shopping circle.

This momma of four boys had a free day and couldn't wait to find "Molly & Zoey"!
I follow maps until I spot the store, a cute boutique on the circle. And wouldn't you know it,  two doors down is The Rainforest Cafe, where I happen to have another gift card! Coincidence? I think not. Without hesitation I found a parking spot and then skipped to the cafe for lunch.

Brunch...
Thank you Kristin!
Shopping...
This mini-adventure was such a gift during the stressful back to school days I'm in the middle of right now (I homeschool our younger boys!). I look forward to sharing my buys soon! (Thank you Amy!)

Adventures In Boxes

I don't think we ever out grow the love for care packages! These next two examples felt like care packages!

The pineapple themed gift box! From the decorations to the gifts themselves this box made my heart skip. Below the gifts were more surprises of clothes this friend's closet that she no longer used. Almost like the Sisterhood of the traveling pants, only I don't have to send them back! ;)
Thank you sweet Andrea...

The She Knows I Have a Coffee Bar and Love Coffee Gift

It's so fun to dig through these boxes and pull out each little surprise. I don't want to ever grow up!

Thank you sweet Laura

Adventures In Being Introduced to a New Brand!
Thank you Kellyann

I love being introduced to new brands this way! Victoria Emerson? How did I not know about your gorgeous wrap bracelets? I'll be stalking their website now! ;)

Adventure In Quality Time

Having friends in town over my birthday weekend wasn't intentional but it made the day sweeter. Our families went to the beach together, ate together and my friend allowed me to drag her to one of my favorite spots - the Sarasota Saturday Market!

Oh and of course I was wearing a the dress that came from a friend's closet!
 The out of town friend I drug to the market with me
 The cilantro (among other things) I came home with...

I'll close with a random recipe to use that cilantro with - Avocado Toast



  • 2 Slices of Sprouted Grain Toast
  • 1 Small Avocado mashed, sprinkled with Everything But The Bagel Seasoning and Cilantro
  • 2 Fried Eggs with a dollup of mayo on each. Yes. This is very good!
  • Salsa
  • More EBTB Seasonings!

This recipe can me made for around $2 to $3!!

Ok my friends! I hope you feel inspired as I do!
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28 comments

  1. It sounds like you had a fun birthday month! I remember your adventure to find Molly & Zoey on your stories and am glad you found the store! Love all of the sweet gifts inside your care packages! That wrap bracelet is gorgeous!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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    1. Those adventures were fun! I really needed a day like that...last weekend our family get away turned into me staying home with older teens and hubby going with youngers until the last night. But that crazy schedule enabled me to have a little fun and even get some much needed quiet around the house!

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  2. Yay! LOVE that bracelet from Kellyann!!

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    1. Thank you Laura! Sending big cyber hugs my friend!

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  3. Las fotos están preciosas y te veo genial ! Te espero por mi blog ! Feliz día bonit@! 🧡🧡🧡

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  4. happy birthday! looks like you had such a fun time shopping and celebrating! that bracelet is so pretty! :)

    Hope that your week is off to a great start :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you so much sweet Mica! I hope your week is going well. Is it warming up yet or are you still in winter?

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  5. It looks like you had a wonderful time! That brunch looks absolutely amazing too! :)

    https://colorandgrace.com/

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    1. Thank you so much Grace! So glad to have you by! :)

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  6. I'm so delighted you had a wonderful birthday (Happy Belated!). You are so blessed to have such wonderful friends! You look *darling* in the new sundress. The recipe looks like I would love it, and what about that plate??? My mom had those in the 70s--haha! All the best, Sweetie!

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    1. I only have a few of those plates left as they get broken by these crazy boys of mine. They were Glen's great aunts. I love them! And thank you for the birthday wishes!

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  7. That avocado toast looks AMAZINNGGGGG
    Laura & Andrea are the best gift givers - its like a spiritual gift!
    I hope you felt so loved on your birthday!!!

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    1. It is so good! Let's make some and have it together - remotely. lol!

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  8. I didn't know you were an August birthday too!! Happy Birthday sweet girl! Next year I need to send you a card or something! My bday is this coming Saturday! Thanks for your bday wishes on my blog! :)

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    1. Thank you Laura! You are so sweet and Happy Birthday to you as well. :) I know, I said as much on your blog, but we celebrate all month long, right??

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  9. You have had some fun this month! Happy birthday and I love the new dress! That avocado toast looks so good! One of my favorite breakfast itmes!

    http://www.ruthyannie.com

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    1. I wish I had an avocado right now!! Thank you for the birthday wishes Ruth!

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  10. What wonderful birthday treats and you deserve each and every one! That boutique looks like a great spot to shop! The Saturday Market looks like fun too - keep celebrating all month long sweet friend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Thank you my sweet friend. If you make it by Sarasota we will have to window shop the circle and have lunch! ;)

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  11. My gosh you look magnificent in that dress! What a super fun post and fills my heart to know you were showered with LOVE! You deserve every bit of goodness my darling friend! Muah BIG TIME!

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    1. You are such a darling personality Andrea. You are loved by many and rightly so!

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  12. That is so fun! September is my birthday month, and I have decided to enjoy it to the max this year!
    wwww.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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  13. It's my birthday month too! Don't you just love markets! And even better with friends!

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  14. The pineapple themed box is so cute! I love your wrap bracelet!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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  15. Great ideas! Thanks for sharing on #chicandstylish Jacqui Mummabstylish

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